Rachet wrench

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air driven and manual rachet wrench. The wrench of the present invention includes a rotor which is rotated by way of an oscillatory member. The oscillatory member, in turn, is driven by way of an air powered drive assembly. A star shaped aperture is centrally formed within the rotor. This aperture is adapted to accept the stems of a variety of sockets. Although the rotor only rotates in one sense, the sockets can be inserted into either of the opposing faces of the rotor. Thus, through changing the face into which the socket is inserted, both clockwise and anti-clockwise socket rotation can be achieved.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
       1. An air driven rachet wrench adapted to accept a variety of sockets, the wrench comprising in combination: a housing having a lower threaded extent and an upper bifurcated extent, the upper bifurcated extent having an aperture formed therethrough;   an arcuate oscillatory member having a centrally located aperture, a plurality of teeth formed along an internal periphery of the aperture, the oscillatory member secured within the upper bifurcated extent of the housing;   air powered drive means located within the lower extent of the housing interconnected with the oscillatory member and functioning to oscillate the oscillatory member;   a rotor having an upper bifurcated extent, a lower extent, first and second halves, a multi-sided aperture formed through a central extent of the rotor, an aperture formed within the lower extent, the rotor secured within the centrally located aperture of the oscillatory member;   a rachet pawl having an engaging portion adapted to contact the internal periphery of the oscillatory member, the rachet pawl secured within the bifurcated extent of the rotor, a rachet pawl support pin angularly positioned within one side of the rotor and functioning to support the engaging portion of the rachet pawl;   a spring biased socket support bearing having an upper extent and a lower extent, the socket support bearing adapted to be positioned within the aperture within the lower extent of the rotor, the upper extent of the support bearing adapted to engage a socket positioned within the central aperture of the rotor.   
     
     
       2. A rachet wrench adapted to accept a variety of sockets, the wrench comprising, in combination: a housing having a lower extent and an upper bifurcated extent, the upper bifurcated extent having an aperture formed therethrough;   an oscillatory member having a centrally located aperture, a plurality of teeth formed along an internal periphery of the aperture, the oscillatory member secured within the upper bifurcated extent of the housing;   drive means located within the lower extent of the housing interconnected with the oscillatory member and functioning to oscillate the oscillatory member;   a rotor having an upper bifurcated extent, a lower extent, first and second halves, an aperture formed through a central extent of the rotor, the rotor secured within the aperture of the oscillatory member;   a rachet pawl having an engaging portion on one side only adapted to contact the internal periphery of the oscillatory member, the rachet pawl secured within the bifurcated extent of the rotor.   
     
     
       3. The rachet wrench as described in claim 2 wherein: the aperture of the rotor is star shaped and has six points such that the aperture can accept both four sided and six sided sockets.   
     
     
       4. The rachet wrench as described in claim 2 wherein: the aperture of the rotor is square shaped.   
     
     
       5. The rachet wrench as described in claim 2 further comprising: an aperture formed within the lower extent of the rotor; and   a spring biased socket support bearing having an upper extent and a lower extent, the socket support bearing adapted to be positioned within the aperture within the lower extent of the rotor, the upper extent of the support bearing adapted to engage a socket positioned within the central aperture of the rotor.   
     
     
       6. The rachet wrench as described in claim 2 further comprising: a rachet pawl support pin and spring angularly positioned within one side of the rotor and functioning to support the engaging portion of the rachet pawl.